S07 ORA 3 2020 Offshore feature_ORA Master Template - 2016 New 18/06/2020 07:16 Page 26
DIG ITAL
of an asset’s or field’s lifetime, and that digital solutions consequently need to take a longterm view. We know that as data flows increase, the ability to distinguish the signal from the noise becomes critical, and so the ability to sift through complexity to see the most critical information for a subsea system, is more than a short-term solution. We recognise that when decision-making is powered by digital solutions, operators can be more focused on the future rather than assessing the past. Potential problems can be identified before they become critical, enabling operators to advance, defer or consolidate activities safely and efficiently. We also know that digital solutions have to do more than bring intelligence, in a joined-up way, to operators. They need to be centred on individual users and the details of what those specific users need to do every day. Finally, we are committed to the idea that digital is best designed, implemented, and supported by suppliers and consultants who understand not just the technology they are working with but also the context in which they are applying it. Digital is not an afterthought: instead it is integral from the initial design of a concept, manufacture, installation and finally operation.
Equipment integrity management – keeping flow in the pipe Digital can prove transformative for onshore subsea engineers tasked with optimising asset uptime and availability while managing maintenance schedules and planning any necessary interventions, reporting on key metrics, efficiency targets and risks, and making investment recommendations. The challenge here is the limited set of data to which they currently have access. Only a low percentage of subsea data from
ISSUE 3 2020 • WWW.OILREVIEWAFRICA.COM
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As older workers retire in the oil and gas industry, digital solutions ease the transition to a new generation of employees.
distributed control systems (DCS) is available onshore, and although analysis and visualisation is critical, it is complex and time-consuming. Simplifying the decision-making process is operationally advantageous, but engineers need more evidence than they often have. The Baker Hughes solution for equipment integrity management is based on: Sensors that can be integrated with well, riser and subsea production system (SPS) equipment in a variety of locations to give a broader view; Agnostic application modules that can analyse and integrate data on equipment from any manufacturer; Customisable screens for onshore personnel so they can make decisions that are right for each site, project or asset; Practical advanced analytics, combined with our knowledge, expertise, and service advice, and amplified by considered use of artificial intelligence; Providing futureoriented analysis that can predict failure points and expected lifetime of equipment. It supports live inventory management by automatically tracking past, present and future maintenance and recertification. It also accesses upgrade history and last-time-purchase advice to proactively alert engineers to upcoming equipment obsolescence. This is a solution that onshore engineers can adapt
for a single asset or an entire fleet of wells. It ensures that they can develop and implement a standard for all subsea projects with the confidence of knowing that the system is being managed to industry standards.
Flow assurance management – keeping the pipe flowing For production and flowassurance engineers, data analysis is already fundamental to the job, from well testing to field characterisation. It requires a lot of what-if analysis to determine optimum operational set points, like minimum water production, or to optimise required chemical injections. Nonetheless digital solutions can make a big difference. The problem here is primarily with the hardware. Subsea meters typically consolidate a number of measurements; certain metering types, like manifold mount meters, are not always available at every well; and subsea flow meters only provide point measurements – which means discrepancies get missed, just one meter failure can affect accuracy and analysing evolving trends is extremely difficult. Specifying the best flowassurance, risk-monitoring solution for a given project is a tough ask. Meters need to be selected before drilling commences, which can lead to lengthy cycle times, while radioactive sources, such as those
in multi-phase flow metering (MPFM), can limit applicability. Our analysts and engineers wanted to enhance production with accurate metering solutions that covered SPS infrastructure, wells and risers. We are developing a distributed flowmetering (DFM) solution that combines the best of virtual and physical metering, and which integrates measurements from downhole, trees, and the wider Subsea Product System (SPS). By using the intelligence of multiple flow sensors to simplify the infrastructure, our clients can measure each well with only a water-cut meter at the tree instead of a bulky MPFM, while still securing accurate multi-phase flow measurements with optimised subsea instrumentation. With added analytics and expertise, the solution provides flow engineers with a whole-system view, allowing them to monitor conditions during operations, start-up and well cooldown and make recommendations on operational procedures. Overall, the solution lowers costs, shortens lead-times and removes flow-metering from the projectcritical path.
Conclusion Over the past few years, the industry has gone through a fundamental change: optimal production, minimal downtime, operational efficiency and environmental considerations are the pillars on which a successful operation will be built. There will always be new challenges, new shocks, and new threats, but the three permachallenges will remain: cost control, carbon emissions, and HSE risk. To face these challenges in their current and future forms, subsea operations will need to be smart. They will need to be lean, clean and digital. The technology is there. Now we need leadership to focus efforts on the most practical, valuable solutions to make this impact.